Decorative bows and ribbon assemblies with die-cut pieces

ABSTRACT

A decorative bow with die cut pieces has a plurality of ribbon strands in combination with die cut pieces which have a spine and one or more design artifacts which extend from the spine. The die cut pieces are commonly attached with the ribbon strands to form an integrated bow with a distinctive appearance of the ribbon strands in combination with the die cut pieces. In one embodiment, the ribbon strands are generally elongate and helical form ribbons of generally common lengths, combined with die cut pieces having a generally elongate spine of common length with the ribbon strands, and wherein the design artifacts of the die cut pieces are positioned relative to the ribbon strands. The ribbon strands and die cut pieces may be commonly secured to a backing structure by a fastener, the backing structure providing a mount for the decorative bow for application to a package.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains generally to decorative bows foruse in decorating gift packages, gift bags and the like and, moreparticularly, to decorative ribbons and curly bows with die-cut shapesas accessories to gift-wrapped packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One type of decorative bow of the prior art is seen in U.S. Pat.No. 2,681,525. This is a common, conventional structure of a decorativebow which looks more or less like a flower. The bow structure consistsof continuous strips of ribbon twisted to form a succession of multipleloops radiating from the center of the bow. Another decorative bow ofthe prior art is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,837, showing a bow formedby a folded piece of flat ribbon forms itself into a bow by pulling on adrawstring connected to the ribbon at points along its length andsecured to the ribbon at one end so that the user of the ribbon can drawthe ribbon into a number of arcuate loops by pulling on the drawstring.Another bow design described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,819 includes aplurality of curly ribbons folded in alternating directions and arrangedto create a cascading look. A common characteristic of these various bowdesigns is that they are constructed from a common ribbon with generallyuniform dimensions and width, and finish characteristics such as rippledor smooth. This fact inherently limits the range or diversity of visualappearances bows made with such ribbon may have.

[0003] Another type of decorative accessory which may be used on giftwrapped packages is a type of helical form wire or line to which isattached decorative elements. This is sometimes referred to asdecorative garland, and has been used as table and other holidaydomestic decoration. simulated garland containing die-cut shapesprotruding from it. The garland is formed from wire, wrapped in ribbon,to allow it to be shaped/curled. Die-cut shapes are then secured to thegarland strand to complete the decoration.

[0004] As advantageous as these arrangements may be, there is still adesire for a more unique decorative structure. More particularly, thereis a desire for a decorative structure which exhibits more eye-catchingappeal and possesses more visual interest.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a ribbon assembly which can beused as a decorative ribbon or bow which enhances visual interest and ishighly distinctive. The decorative curly bows contain eye-catchingappeal and thus, stand out among other decorative bows. These decorativebows are also occasion and/or season-specific.

[0006] In accordance with one general aspect of the invention, there isprovided a decorative bow which has a plurality of curly ribbon-likestrands and a plurality of central ribbon-like strands containingdie-cut shapes, secured together. In one particular embodiment, thecentral strands are curved strands which contain multiple die-cut shapessecured along the length of the strands, positioned on both sides of thestrand. In another embodiment, the central strands are straight strandswhich contain multiple die-cut shapes secured along the length of thestrands. The die-cut shapes are typically flowers, Christmas trees,stars, snowflakes, holly or hearts. Thus, the decorative bows areusually seasonal, correlating with specific holidays and/or times of theyear. However, other shapes are available and multiple shapes can besecured to each decorative bow, the bows are not limited to only onedie-cut shape.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the strandsare secured to a base member by stacking the center sections of thestrands and stapling the sections to the base member. The base member isgenerally flat and has a front surface to which the strands are securedand a back surface having an adhesive layer. There is also an opening onthe base member which allows the decorative bow to be hung for display.

[0008] These and other aspects of the present invention are hereindescribed in further detail, with reference to the accompanying Figures,the illustrated embodiments being representative of only some of theyways in which the principles and concepts of the invention can beexecuted and employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] In the accompanying Figures:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a decorativebow of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a profile view of a die cut piece of the decorative bowof the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a profile view of a die cut piece of the decorative bowof the present invention, and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a decorative bow of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With reference to the Figures, there is shown a decorative bow,alternatively referred to as a “ribbon assembly”, generally indicated at10, which includes in part a plurality of ribbon strands 12 securedtogether. The ribbon strands 12 may be made out of any particularmaterial, such as cut from a sheet of polypropylene material or from aspool of pre-formed ribbon, the primary physical characteristic beingstrips of pliable material of variable widths and lengths, withdifferent decorative surface texture and color finishes. The ribbonstrands 12 of the bow 10 are generally commonly attached at one point toa backing structure 14, such as a card or bow chip which may be providedwith an adhesive coating on one side, and depend therefrom in acascading manner. The attachment of the ribbon strands 12 to the backingstructure 14 may be at any intermediate point along the length of theribbon strands 12, or at the midpoint of the length of the ribbonstrands 12. The attachment of the ribbon strands 12 to the backingstructure may be by adhesive or by mechanical fastener or fasteners suchas staples or rivets. In this particular embodiment, the curved helicalform of each of the ribbon strands 10 further augments themultidimensional characteristics of the bow 10.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1, at leastone die-cut piece 16 is combined with the ribbon strands 12 to form adecorative bow 10 (alternatively referred to as a “ribbon assembly”).FIG. 2 depicts one form of a die cut piece 16 in isolation. The die cutpiece 16 is formed with a central longitudinal spine 18 from whichdesign artifacts 20 extend generally laterally. In one form, aconnecting segment 22 extends between the spine 18 and each designartifact 20. Die cut piece 16 may be manufactured in the known manner ofa die of the described shapes which cuts the piece or pieces from anysuitable material, as one efficient manner of manufacture. The designartifacts may be separately manufactured and subsequently attached tothe spine. The invention is not limited to pieces which are in factproduced by a die, as any method of manufacture which produces thedescribed shapes is applicable. Although shown in a form wherein each ofthe design artifacts are generally similarly configured, such asmulti-point stars of differing size, it is within the scope of theinvention to provide a die cut piece 16 in which the laterally extendingdesign artifacts are of any configuration, and may vary in form in asingle die cut piece, as shown for example in the related application,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular size orsizing of the design artifacts. Furthermore, the number of die cutpieces 16 combined with the ribbon strands 12 may vary in any particularconstruction of the invention. The die cut pieces 16 are also preferablyattached to the backing structure 14 by adhesive or mechanical fastenerin a manner similar to the ribbon strands 12 by securement of a segmentof the longitudinal spine 18 which is generally axially aligned withsegments of the ribbon strands 12. Preferably the same fastener engagesthe ribbon strands 12 and die cut piece or pieces 16 for attachment tothe backing structure 14. In an embodiment wherein a length of the diecut piece or pieces 16 is substantially equal to a length of the ribbonstrands, the die cut piece 16 may also be secured by the fastener at amid-point of its length. This combination of elements of the decorativebow 10 of the invention creates a striking visual appearance of the diecut pieces 16 juxtaposed or intertwined relative to the ribbon strands12 in a random fashion. With the longitudinal spine 18 in serpentine orcurved form as shown in FIG. 2, the die cut piece 16 complements thecurvature of the helical ribbon strands 12. With the longitudinal spine18 in a straight linear form as shown in FIG. 3, the die cut pieces 16create a greater visual contrast relative to the ribbon strands 12.

[0016] The design artifacts 20 of the die-cut shapes 16 may be in theform of, for example, flowers, Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, hollyor hearts, however, the bows are not limited to any particular shape,and can include a wide variety of shapes. In one embodiment, the designartifacts 20 are of a particular design shape or artifact 20, allowingthe decorative bows to be seasonal, correlating with specific holidaysand/or times of the year. In another embodiment, two or more differentdesign artifacts 20 extend from the spine 18, for example, hearts andflowers, or Christmas trees and holly, to appear together on a singledecorative bow 10. The decorative bows 10 are not limited to suchcombinations, and multiple combinations of various die-cut shapes 16 canbe combined as well, on a single decorative bow 10. The die-cut pieces16 and design artifacts 20 are randomly positioned and intertwined withthe ribbon strands 12. The die-cut pieces 16 are shown positioned onopposing sides of the spine 18 of the die cut piece 16 at generallyuniform spacing, but alternate or random, variable spacing can also beused.

[0017] With the ribbon strands 12 and die cut pieces 16 arranged andgenerally aligned, they are attached to the backing structure 14 asdescribed. The backing structure 14 may be made of paper stock or othersuitable material. In one embodiment, the backing structure is generallyrectangular in shape and includes at least two sections. A first sectionprovides a surface area on which various indicia may be printed, such astext or graphics identifying the product, sales price, and/ormanufacturer of the product. Generally, the first section also includesan opening, allowing the decorative bow to be hung for display. Theopening allows the decorative bow 10 to be hung on display racks orother types of display devices for optimal display of the unique visualcharacteristics of the die cut pieces in combination with the ribbonstrands.

[0018] Another section of the backing structure provides an area forattachment of the ribbon strands 12. Additionally, the first and secondsections are connected by a perforation line, as a user of thedecorative bow may not want to include the first section when the bow isattached to a gift. The perforation allows easy removal of the firstsection from the second section. Thus, a user of the decorative bow 10may detach the sections by tearing along the perforation line andattaching the bow to the gift.

[0019] Typically, the decorative bow 10 is attached to a gift or otherdesired object by an adhesive layer positioned on the back of the secondsection of the base member. The adhesive layer is preferably coveredwith a protective backing, which can be removed. Thus, to attach thedecorative bow to an object, the user tears off the first section, pealsoff the protective backing of the adhesive layer and presses theadhesive layer against the object at a selected location. Additionally,there are many different ways to secure all of the strands to the secondsection of the base member, such as gluing, heat fusing, sewing, andstapling, etc. In one embodiment, the strands of the decorative bow arestapled to the base member. A staple is driven through the centersections of the plurality of ribbon-like strands to secure them to thebase member.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the strands maybe made of various synthetic and natural materials. For instance, thesurface of one or both sides of the strand may be a layer of metalizedpolypropylene film to provide a shiny or reflective surface.Alternatively, various surface treatments, such as painting orattachment of shiny sprinkles, can be applied to the strand to alter itsappearance. The strands may also be of different colors, with adecorative bow encompassing multiple colors of strands within a singlebow. Strands could also be of different lengths and widths.

[0021] The decorative bows 10 are assembled by stacking the multiplestrands together, one on top of the other. First, the plain strands arestacked and then the strands 12 and 18 with the die-cut shapes arestacked over the plain strands. The stacked strands are secured to abase member by a staple at the flat center sections just under thecenter point. Each of the plain strands are then curled, creatingspiral-shaped strands. After all the plain strands are curled, thestrands are fanned out, and the decorative bow 10 is completed. Thisprocess for forming the decorative bow 10 may be performed manually, butmay also be performed by properly implemented machinery.

[0022] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will beappreciated by those skilled in the art of designing and manufacturingdecorative bows upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Suchfeatures, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of thereported results and examples are clearly within the scope of theinvention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as the invention is:
 1. A decorative bow comprising: aplurality of ribbon strands in combination with at least one die cutpiece, the die cut piece comprising a spine and at least one designartifact which extends from the spine.
 2. The decorative bow of claim 1wherein the ribbon strands are generally helical.
 3. The decorative bowof claim 1 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is curved.
 4. Thedecorative bow of claim 1 wherein the spine of the die cut piece isgenerally straight.
 5. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbonstrands have a length generally equal to a length of the die cut piece.6. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the design artifacts extendfrom opposite sides of the spine of the die cut piece.
 7. The decorativebow of claim 1 comprising at least one die cut piece which has agenerally straight spine and at least one die cut piece which has acurved spine.
 8. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piecehas design artificats of a common configuration.
 9. The decorative bowof claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece has design artifacts of dissimilarconfiguration.
 10. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbonstrands and die-cut piece are attached to a backing structure.
 11. Thedecorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece is intertwined withthe ribbon strands.
 12. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein thedie-cut piece overlies at least some of the ribbon strands.
 13. Thedecorative bow of claim 1 wherein design artifacts of the die-cut pieceare selected from a group consisting of flowers, trees, stars,snowflakes, holly and hearts.
 14. The decorative bow of claim 1 whereindesign artifacts of the die-cut piece are commonly sized.
 15. Thedecorative bow of claim 1 wherein design artifacts of the die-cut pieceare differently sized.
 16. The decorative bow of claim 1 furthercomprising a connecting segment between the spine of the die cut pieceand the at least one design artifact.
 17. The decorative bow of claim 1wherein the ribbon strands are secured together by a fastener.
 18. Thedecorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands are then attachedto a backing structure.
 19. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein thebacking structure has a first section having printed indicia and asecond section to which the ribbon strands are secured.
 20. Thedecorative bow of claim 19 wherein the backing structure has a surfaceto which the strands are secured and an adhesive.
 21. The decorative bowof claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands and the spine of the die cut pieceare secured together.
 22. A decorative bow comprising a plurality ofribbon strands, segments of each of the ribbon strands secured togetherwith at least one die cut piece, the die cut piece comprising a spineand a design artifacts which extend from the spine.
 23. The decorativebow of claim 22 wherein a segment of the spine of the die cut piece issecured with the ribbon strands.
 24. The decorative bow of claim 21further comprising a connecting segments between the artifacts and thespine of the die cut piece.
 25. The decorative bow of claim 22 whereinthe design artifacts of the die cut piece have a similar configuration.26. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the design artifacts of thedie cut piece have a dissimilar configuration.
 27. The decorative bow ofclaim 22 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally straight.28. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the spine of the die cutpiece has at least one curve.
 29. The decorative bow of claim 22 incombination with multiple die cut pieces.
 30. The decorative bow ofclaim 22 further comprising a backing structure to which the ribbonstrand and die cut pieces are attached.
 31. A ribbon assemblycomprising: a plurality of ribbon strands secured together; at least onedie cut piece secured together with at least one of the ribbon strands,the die cut piece having a spine and at least one design artifact whichextends laterally from the spine.
 32. The ribbon assembly of claim 31wherein a segment of the ribbon strnads and the die cut piece is securedto a backing structure by a fastener.
 33. The ribbon assembly of claim31 wherein the die cut piece further comprises a connecting segmentbetween the spine and the design artifact.
 34. The ribbon assembly ofclaim 31 wherein the ribbon strands and die cut pieces are intertwined.35. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the ribbon strands aregenerally helical.
 36. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the spineof the die cut piece is generally straight.
 37. The ribbon assembly ofclaim 31 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally curved. 38.The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein a length of the spine of the diecut piece is substantially equal to a length of the ribbon strands. 39.A decorative bow assembly comprising a plurality of ribbon strandssecured together at a common segment, a die cut piece having a spine anddesign artifacts which extend from the spine, a segment of the spinesecured together with the ribbon strands.
 40. A ribbon assemblycomprising multiple ribbon strands of generally helical form securedtogether at co-located segments at an approximate midpoint of each ofthe strands; at least one die cut piece having a generally elongatespine and one or more design artifacts attached to the spine, a segmentof the spine of the die cut piece being secured together with the ribbonstrands.